The June 29 Wright County Board agenda was pretty typical. There were about a dozen consent agenda items, a half-dozen items on the regular agenda and 10 items for consideration. And, as it had for every board agenda since the summer of 1998, it read: “9:05 A.M. Doug Gruber, Auditor-Treasurer.” That line had remained the same since Easter, although Gruber’s deteriorating health had not allowed him to present his agenda items for the last three months. Whether it was out of respect or the hope that he would return for those agenda items, the Tuesday, June 29, meeting agenda, which was published June 24, would be the last to include that familiar 9:05 line item. Gruber, 51, died at his home in Buffalo on Friday, June 25, after a 21/2-year fight with pancreatic cancer. He left behind a wife and three children. But, as his family likely already knew, he left behind an incredible amount of friends. And all of them have a special kinship that they built with him that will be a lasting part of their memories. Sense of humor Bob Hiivala, who has presented Gruber’s agenda items for the auditor-treasurer’s office in his absence, said Gruber’s sense of humor and ability to make stressful situations funny was part of an ongoing relationship with the entire office. There isn’t a lot of employee turnover in the office, making many of them more than just co-workers. “It was like a family and Doug was my big brother,” Hiivala said. “When I was building a home in Cokato, Doug wanted to look at the blueprints. He wanted to give me advice and look out for me. That’s just the way he was. “We’ve spent more of our waking hours in the office together than most of us did with our own families. Doug made that a lot easier.” Commissioner Dick Mattson built a strong friendship with Gruber over the last decade. At first, Mattson, a staunch supporter of southpaws everywhere, was pleased he could shake hands with Gruber “naturally – left-handed.” Over the years, complementing interests led to them sharing information over the internet. The last time Mattson talked to Gruber, Doug was hoping to regain some of his strength to go on a fishing trip in July – which made the news of his passing so soon afterward hard to accept. “It’s hard not to say enough good things about Doug,” Mattson said. “We e-mailed each other a lot – it was a standing relationship we had. I really enjoyed Doug and will miss him a lot. He always knew how to get a smile out of you.” The most recent county commissioner, Karla Heeter, shared a bond with Gruber – both had spent hard times trying to beat cancer. While Gruber was more than willing to help acclimate Heeter to her new surroundings, his openness about continuing the fight to beat cancer struck a chord with her. The last time they spoke, Gruber reminded her that she was doing a good job and fitting in well in her role as District 1 representative. “Doug was one of the gentlest men I’ve ever met,” Heeter said. “When we spoke about cancer, you got to see what a tremendous person he was. I don’t think you could find anyone that has something bad to say about him. He is one of the finest men I’ve ever met.” Those were a just a few of the people he touched who will miss him. From his large immediate family to those he met in his lifelong association with wrestling to those he met through his church to his fellow members of the Knights of Columbus and Buffalo Rotary, Gruber left behind a long list of people who will miss him for reasons unique to them. So it wasn’t surprising that the June 29 agenda went unchanged and still had “9:05 A.M. Doug Gruber, Auditor-Treasurer” one last time. County coordinator Dick Norman, who knew Gruber just about as long as anyone and worked closely with him for many years, summed up a sentiment shared by many who will miss Gruber’s trademark smile and one-liners around the county courthouse. “The people of Wright County lost an outstanding elected official,” Norman said. “I lost a friend.”
Be the first to comment